Extern launches new Belfast hub for young people with help from the eir Fund

eir Business NI was delighted to attend the launch of Extern’s One Stop Shop facility in Belfast as one of the fundraisers for the initiative. Extern was chosen to receive £8,000 under the eir Fund programme to support the development of the One Stop Shop known as The Pieces Project. It is Belfast’s first dedicated drop-in centre for young people who are seeking support with health and wellbeing issues. Based in Queen Street, in Belfast, it means young people, aged between 11-25, can now drop in and receive support without the need for an appointment, and when they are ready to do so. Providing a safe environment for vulnerable young people, the donation from eir is being used to help brightly furnish the new flagship hub, and to provide vital IT & music equipment for use by the young people involved.

Speaking at the launch, Charlie Mack, CEO of Extern, thanked eir for their contribution: “I would like to thank eir sincerely, as their funding has enabled us to make this place a really warm, and welcoming safe space for our young people. It is also being used to provide vital digital resources for use in our outreach and group work.”

Commenting on the launch, Darren Lemon, General Manager at eir Business NI, said “We are extremely proud to be supporting such a positive new initiative. Our team chose Extern in recognition of the work they do to expand life opportunities for vulnerable young people in this country. We were delighted to see how our company donation has helped to make the One Stop Shop drop-in centre come alive. The wellbeing of our young people is so important to the wellbeing of our community. We wish the Pieces Project every success in allowing more young people across Belfast to benefit from the support they need to change their lives.”

Further information on the Pieces Project is available online at www.extern.org or by calling 02890 325786

Pictured: Members of the eir Business NI CSR team alongside service users at the launch of Extern’s Pieces Project in Belfast